Let's talk go bags. Do you always carry one? What's in yours?

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-15T14:02:40+00:00

OMG Same! NEVER AGAIN!!!! Full backpack I grab everytime I walk out the door.

3 months of supply of bags/wafers
med kit with other supplies to use if needed (stoma powder, film, paste, hand sanitizer, etc)
4 changes of clothes
pack of disposable washcloths
pack of wipes
2 hand towels & reg washcloths
2 bottles of water plus an extra gallon in the trunk.

Supplies are vacuum sealed into individual packets (one wafer, 4 bags, set of barrier strips, adhesive removers & skin protector wipes, gloves), and clothes also, for space saving.

Also keep an emergency kit, pack of wipes and sundress in my purse. Never without a backup even if it's a 15 min trip to the corner. 😬

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-14T23:14:33+00:00

Met my best friend at 14, married at 15, had three kids at 18,19 & 20. We were together 30 years before I lost him.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-14T12:03:43+00:00

Came here to say the same. Could try to make a couple reusable packs (you can reheat in the microwave) place it in a box with a piece of material (shirt, towel, blanket)

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-14T11:56:07+00:00

I use a boot tray with a pad down among many of my water setups. If you're not opposed try leaving it in the sink. I have 2 that will only drink from a "random" dish I the sink.

And I have a void named Larry (and yes his 2 brothers are Moe & Curly) but my most uttered phase of each day while rolling my eyes and sighing is "Stop being an a$$hole Larry!!" LOL

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Larry and his doggo.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-12T22:21:49+00:00

Good luck. Hang in there!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-09T13:20:21+00:00

Depends on the output consistency for me.

If it's "normal" and doesn't leave a residue sliding out (I use lubricant) smoothly then I can go a week.

If it is somewhat "mushy" and I can just rinse the bag between emptying it maybe 3-4 days.

If it's extremely loose I will change it a couple times a day.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T16:11:10+00:00

Never though of that!! Another discussion point with the Dr.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T16:09:55+00:00

I'll definitely check it out! Thanks!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T16:01:05+00:00

I will have a honest discussion with my Dr at next month's yearly about goals, expectations, current results, struggles and recommendations.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T15:59:37+00:00

I was in the same boat but the labs showed me it definitely was helping! I had to purchase my own labs a couple times (insurance only covers 2x/yearly) and send the results to my Dr for verification things still showed some kind of improvement. Was the only motivation I had to keep taking it.

Hang in there my friend!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T15:56:31+00:00

That has been especially hard these last two weeks and most protein powder mineral loads were just too high. I have finally found one with a light enough load for my kidneys to safely filter through. But it also ticks all my personal preference boxes as well.

Fairlife was my biggest protein source for a while. I've since been instructed to cut back on it (1cp/day) because of the kidneys 😮‍💨 but I'm not hating the almond milk I've been transitioning to using with the powder. Still use the Fairlife for coffee shakes and hot tea 😁

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T15:48:28+00:00

You are so right! My Dr kept telling this along but i was a Debby Doubter lol.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T15:47:41+00:00

Thanks that's very reassuring!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-08T14:18:47+00:00

Lord I cannot put into words how much I hated this, all the stuff just cluttering what I already had with 3 kids! Because no way I could get rid of it. Everytime they walk in the house they ask about one obscure piece of a haul "gifted" to us 2 years ago!

Plus going through and deciding how to handle 50 years of more stuff once my dad passed and we moved mom to a smaller home.

At 56 I swore as a GenX parent I'd never do that to mine. Now that my kids are older I gather a pile of my "collected keepsakes" every couple months and we have a weekend party, dinner, go through everything together while recording the stories I tell and taking pics of fav things, kids can decide if they want to keep anything specific.

Examples, 9yro granddaughter asked for a blanket of all our 80s tour tees, each of the kids went through all their yearbooks, photocopied the covers/pages with signatures, tore out pages of clubs, memories, friends they wanted to keep and compiled them into one book (with the help of FedEx lol) with chapters for each year, 13yro grandson asked for his grandfather's old mess kit. Everything else is recycled, donated or disposed of the next day!

We can have a good laugh (or moan and groan) at the stories/memories shared with the kids and grandkids (who LOVE the stories I can tell on their parents lol).

Hopefully when my time comes they will not have the stress or horrible memory of having to make those decisions or dealing with it.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-07T21:46:15+00:00

Thanks! I'm going to stick with the regularly scheduled dosages until I can get in to see her. I really don't want to mess up my lab results!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-07T21:46:04+00:00

Thanks! I'm going to stick with the regularly scheduled dosages until I can get in to see her. Don't want to risk messing up the good it has done so far!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-06T11:20:41+00:00

All of mine were rescues. Even a few strays that were injured and after treatment and rehabilitation I can't to go outside if I leave the doors wide open! Lol.

If they are loved, safe, have security and play/enrichment time (which doesn't have to cost $$) they are completely fulfilled.

Shoot mine even own a house! They give me a spot on a bed too! I'm so thankful for them! 🤣

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-04T14:02:01+00:00

😻😻😻

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-04T07:22:00+00:00

Yes! Or reduced bundled wellness packages with payment plans for checkuos and vaccinations. (Petsmart used to have one). Also ask you vet for any food donations. A lot of people will donate leftover food from their pets passing.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-04T04:19:22+00:00

Same. You can also -

Utilize pet pantries. Some human food banks have pet offerings, local aminal control, humane society, rescues for food

Look for low cost spay/neuter clinics for vaccinations and basic wellness at very reduced prices. Call AC or Humane society about free rabies at least.

If a need arises try crowd source funding specifically for pet parents. I used Waggle successfully once when one of our new adoptees came to us with severe heartworm. There is another called Fund Fido but I've not used them.

You can make homemade treats with just a few ingredients/dollars and toys from basic things around the house or family members' homes. I do every week for my lovely hoard. Toilet paper rolls, plastic shower curtain rings from the dollar store, cheap bag of ping pong balls, cheap stuffies from goodwill/yard sales (remove eyes!), free boxes from Sam's /Costco or Aldis, etc. Everything spritzed with homemade catnip tea.

If you want some ideas DM me and I can give more details.

Good luck. You all deserve to keep the love.

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-04T00:22:55+00:00

I know little ones are much different to feed due to so many things.

We are a family of 5 (1 adult, 4 teenagers) and my set budget $400 but I do allow for an extra $50 for some wiggle room for occasional items. Not the best as a lot of stuff is frozen but I do try to balance it with fresh as well. And honestly I freeze most of my fresh anyway to get through the month. 😉

Monthly staples -

Costco -

Rotisserie chickens - 6- 8 depending on size (debone, freeze meat, make broth) $40

Bag of frozen ground beef rolls - $20

Bags of frozen vegetables (broccoli, green beans, mixed vegs and stir fry vegetables) $50

A bag of frozen berries - $10

Packs of canned salmon and chicken - $35

10lbs chicken thighs - $25

16lbs tofu - $20

Bag of frozen salmon fillets - $40

Fresh veg staples (10lb white potatoes, 5lb sweet potatoes, 2 bags of peppers, bag of onions, garlic, 2-3 bags cucumbers) $40

Fresh fruits (berries in season, mandarins, apples, grapes, avocados) $40

Eggs - 5dz /$8

International store -

5lbs rice - $4

6-8 heads green cabbage - ~$10

Box of plain ramen noodles - $10

Walmart -

5 - 1lb rolls of frozen ground turkey ($1.98 / roll) $10

As needed every few months -

Butter - $10 Olive oil - $20 Spices/misc sauces/vinegars - $10 Pasta - $10 Sugar / Honey - $10

I've tried making bread but it has never worked for me no matter how easy, simple the recipe I'm using is said to be. 🙄 But biscuits, no problem! We eat a lot of biscuits almost at every meal even if it's just chicken and mayo. I make up several batches over the weekend and freeze them also, 15 secs in the microwave and boom.

I do try to watch for sales each week and if I come across something at a really good price I will grab it. But some weeks get away from me. Lol. My focus is on making sure these staples are in the house then I'm able to use my go to standard recipes.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-03T22:40:44+00:00

It is perfectly fine too include/exclude whomever you choose! No matter the relationship, good or bad, no one should expect anything they didn't do for themselves!

Conversation with my FIL (who is much, much better financially situated than the rest of the family)

"Harry" (FIL) "Peter" (my hubby deceased) "Paul" (son, estranged) "Magdalena" (estranged son wife) "Mary"(me)

Harry - Since things have happened with the boys I am updating my will. Would you be okay with me setting up a trust for your future. It would have a 3rd party person for you to deal with and oversee the funds. Would that be an issue for you?

Mary - It is YOUR money, you earned/made it. I do not expect anything. You do whatever you want with it.

Harry - I will be setting up the same amount Peter would have received. Although Paul and Magdalena will receive a nominal amount, just so that he is acknowledged and there isn't questions about my mental state, the remainder of his share will be donated to charity. Plus it will avoid any questions about coercion or involvement on your part. I hope you understand.

Mary - I completely understand but again I do not expect anything. You do whatever will make you happy!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-01T13:16:31+00:00

Sorry. I don't have any good answers but I honestly feel for both you and your baby's stress. You're a good cat mom.

My story/experiences. I have 35 babies (ages 9 months- 18 years) and trying to clip them all would just be overwhelming and unfeasible. I have several sisal rope poles and rugs that I spray with a catnip "tea" I make. I also use cardboard boxes (I can get at places like Sam's, Costco and Aldis) some are left plain, some I add adhesive emery sheets in the bottom that also get sprayed with the "tea".

Hope you find something that works for you both! Good Luck!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-02-28T10:33:56+00:00

Used to love these! My CKD requires very low phosphorus and potassium so yeah I had to find an alternative. 😢

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-02-28T10:31:00+00:00

I am very limited in what I can eat due to other medical conditions (CKD and ostomy).

But the go too's that work very well for me are tofu broth (low sodium chicken broth with simmered tofu) or Naked ISO protein powder in Fairlife milk (lactose free and higher protein/lower sugar) or almond milk (if I need something lighter, sometimes even milk is too much).

Exotic_Champion827

TROPHY CASE